I have a Kenmore sewing machine. I can fit the size 16 needle that came with my machine (which just broke because I forgot I had the zipper foot on when I went to zigzag), but I can't fit the Schmetz size 16 or 18 onto my machine. I am sewing denim with a size 14 (which barely fits with lots of force and you needle pliers to get it out) which isn't fun. I need a size 16 to fit! Why doesn't the 16 or 18 not fit but all the lower sizes do? And how can I get them to fit?

that doesn't really make any sense since the shaft of the needles is the same has nothing to do with the needle size sounds like something is wrong with the needle holder. You should be able to loosen the screw and the needle will almost fall out.

Janome-Kenmore-Organ needles aren't different from the Schmetz ones in size, and my Kenmores will all take a 16 needle and in fact an 18. Be very sure you are using the needle hole to try to put the needle into. I realize this seems so basic, but it is easy to think you have it correctly positioned when you do not. Tell us the model of your machen, as some machines DO have trouble using large needles.

OK...I see you have the 18221. Now that machine should certainly take a large needle - I have the 19110 sitting here (the Janome rename of it) and it takes 16s for sure, and this machine is the same time frame as yours.

Again, don't be insulted, but wait till you are well rested and try again. Meanwhile I am going to try putting a large needle in the Kenmore I have here and really see if what I say is true.

Quote: (which barely fits with lots of force and you needle pliers to get it out) which isn't fun.

O.K...now I see there is really something wrong. Are you very sure you are inserting this after loosening that needle area up? With Janomes and Kenmore and Elnas, when you loosen that needle bar it flops around and looks like you loosened it too much, but you didn't - and you DO have to loosen it up to floppy to get that needle in - please report back, as this can damage your machine if continually forced. NO needle insertion should be forced. I think you aren't loosening that needle bar area with the screw enough at all.

When I got the Kenmore I called Janome because of this floppy looseness and they said it was normal, and indeedy - every machine from them (6) I have had since has had the same needle bar floppiness when changing needles until you tighten it up again. Odd but true and yes, the needle will fall out when loosened enough. -- Edited on 6/24/13 7:30 PM --

I don't know about your machine, but all the machines I've ever had have a little screw that you turn to widen the opening when you put in a new needle. Then you turn the screw the other direction to tighten the opening so that it's snug around the needle. You should never need pliers to remove a needle, except maybe if the machine got horribly damaged from a fall or something.

I have that floppiness in the needle clamp of my Janome too. I don't really care for it. But I've never had trouble inserting needles. I have this gizmo for inserting machine needles. It helps to keep the needle high in the needle bar while tightening the clamp.

I have one of those machines and it definitely takes the 16 and 18. You might know this but here goes. Are you putting it in the right place? Unscrew the needle holder and try again-make sure the flat side of the needle is facing toward the back. It won't fit if you are putting that flat side in the wrong way. There is absolutely no reason why they don't fit. I only use Schemtz anymore for all my machines. I hope you can get this fixed. HTH

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